John Strommer

John Paul Strommer, Jr. was born on November 30, 1960, in Montevideo, Minnesota the son of John and Marlys (Krenz) Strommer Sr. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul?s Lutheran Church in Montevideo. John attended Montevideo High School and graduated in 1979. He attended Canby Area Vocational Technical Institute and studied auto mechanics. John started working at a young age. His first job was working at his dad?s service station and he also worked for Gibson Trucking and Schoeps. After finishing school, John owned and operated three different dump trucks while still living in Montevideo. He later moved to Aberdeen where he operated garbage trucks. He painted hotels in Sioux Falls. He had a tremendous gift for welding -- needless to say he was a ?John of all trades?. In 1994, he moved to Alexandria where he worked for Hyman Freight and then was employed by the City of Alexandria and worked Street Maintenance. In 2007, John fulfilled one of his dreams and along with Kelly purchased A & A Towing. The towing company was his pride and joy and he put his heart and soul into it ? he was known for being able to back up a vehicle better than most people could drive forward. John will be remembered as a very selfless, caring, and courageous man, who could take anyone under his wing. He never complained and made the most of everyday. He loved to go hunting but one of his greatest joys was to fish off Maureen and Bernie?s dock on Lake Geneva. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR, Beatles Baseball, going to garage sales, motorcycling --going to Sturgis was always a highlight, he was a coin collector and a scrapper ? he could make money off of other people?s junk and loved shopping at Ron?s Warehouse. He was a member of the Douglas County Fair Board, and the Eagles. First Lutheran Church was where John found a lot of comfort over the past couple of years. John died on Thursday, July 25, 2013. He is survived by Kelly; children: Matthew Strommer & Brooke of Alexandria, Nathan Citrowske of Garfield, David Ebnet & Emily of Hector, Kristina Mulder of Prior Lake, Erin O?Neil of Alexandria; grandson, Koltin Mulder; parents: John & Marlys Strommer Sr., brothers: Tom of Montevideo, Ronald of Montevideo; sister, Laura Sears of Montevideo and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 30, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Pallbearers were Gary Hofmann, Craig Bengford, Nathan Citrowske, David Ebnet, Kevin Dahle, Dick Carlson, Tom Hammer, Tony Wendlandt. Burial was at St. Mary?s Cemetery. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home. www...andersonfuneral.net